While the benefits that exercise can have on mental health is well documented such is the unique nature of an individual’s mental health it is not enough just to roll out generic advice regarding it. In fact, in could be argued that generic advice creates more barriers and obstacles than it does in getting people actively engaged in exercise per se.
What is important to understand is that there is no one exercise or exercise method that is any better than any other. It is individual, and the best exercise is simply the one that gets done. Exercise is not a panacea for mental health issues, and it should only be viewed as one part of an individual’s mental wellbeing jigsaw. Mental health can be viewed across a spectrum and then within that spectrum it is highly individualised and contextual.
It is important to look beyond the exercise itself and consider the contextual factors around it. The environment, meaning, teacher, location, number of people attending, types of people attending, and time are all hugely important factors that can contribute to the overall effect that the exercise can have on an individual’s mental health.
Here are a few considerations with regard exercise and mental health:
1. Think in terms of movement rather than exercise and you will broaden the options available to you.
2. Tap into the power of walking. On days when your mental health is good support and reinforce this with walking.
3. Challenge your perception. Often when the subject of exercise is raised it brings up a negative picture based on our perception and past experiences. Change the picture, change the perception, and, in doing so change the experience.
4. Focus on what you can control i.e., being openminded, honest, your willingness and attitude.
5. Build a support group that allows you to verbalise and talk it out when motivation and/or interest dwindles.
6. Focus on progress not perfection. Adhering to being active at the best of times is hard let alone against the backdrop of challenging mental health. Just focus on what you have done and not what you haven’t done.
7. Engage in something meaningful rather than what you think is good for you. You are more likely to maintain motivation if you are engaged and stimulated by what you are doing.
8. Try and find something you enjoy, though don’t always expect to enjoy it.
9. Look beyond mental health. Exercise benefits other areas of our health and sometimes it can be advantageous to shift your focus away from the mental health aspect of it, and in doing so freeing your mind.
10. Where possible chose something that is sociable, fun and connects you to other people or a community of people.